episode_0144

“From what I’ve heard, Pieta Merchant Group essentially provided the initial contribution settlement money as well… Wow… Did we really do a good job this time??? Should we attribute it to you, brother? You directly guarded the head of the merchant group and even saved their life in the main quest.”

Swish!

Thomas handed Eugene the settlement statement, shaking his head.

The amount supported and paid by Pieta Merchant Group as compensation was enormous.

Of course, Thomas, who was in charge of finances for the Red Fox Mercenary Group, had high expectations.

However, the settlement was three times more than he had anticipated, leaving him bewildered.

“Everyone worked hard. And the results were solid. Just like Antonio said when he first saw us, the most important thing for that job was skill and trust. Even just based on the results, we’re a mercenary group that has both. I don’t think we need to think it’s excessive compensation.”

Twitch… Twitch…!

Eugene read the statement Thomas handed over, giving a textbook answer.

We all did well.

It’s a sufficient reward for the results created through mutual trust and the best effort.

However, deep down, he found the situation quite amusing and was trying to control the rising corners of his mouth.

‘This feeling is quite strange… It’s right to think that I received it because I did a good job, but on the other hand, I can’t shake the feeling that I got it because I played with *that* extremely well.’

This is why it can’t help but be special to Eugene.

In his eyes, it reads as the result of him satisfying Vivian too much.

In other words, it could be seen as the material and moral support from a female Vivian who wants to look good to the man she loves, Eugene Schneider.

Anyway, a situation has been created where they are so far apart, wouldn’t she want to continue imprinting her presence by pouring money into it, at least?

“So, did the leader go to find workers and materials for building the village?”

Eugene Schneider, having reviewed the statement, mentioned Jeanne.

Jeanne headed to a carpenter village outside of Pangea.

Having been forewarned by the Mercenary Association that the payment would be coming in, Jeanne started without hesitation to secure the manpower and materials to build a mercenary village.

“Yes, that’s right, brother. All the manpower inside Pangea is currently being held by the Empire. It seems we have to go outside and do some legwork to find enough people to build a village.”

Thomas explained the detailed reason why Jeanne had to go beyond Pangea.

Related to the increased number of monsters, the Empire has secretly started and is planning large-scale construction projects in various places.

As a result, blacksmiths, carpenters, and laborers with good access to major cities tend to avoid other long-term jobs unless a particularly large sum is offered.

One reason is that the Empire is managing them, and anyway, entering the Empire’s massive projects can increase their tier as technicians.

“Hmm… So, in the end, only you, me, and Marie have to go, as the leader said.”

Eugene listened to Thomas’s words and nodded slowly, understanding Jeanne’s situation.

Jeanne instructed Eugene to go to the vicinity of Jebodang, where the Red Fox Mercenary Group’s village will soon be established, and more specifically examine whether there are any other threats.

If it were just mercenaries living together, there wouldn’t be a need to go that far.

But because they plan to live with the children from the slums, she thought they should make a much more detailed assessment and make up for any shortcomings.

Eugene was planning to just go together when Jeanne returned from her external trip, but

he judged that her schedule would be longer than expected, so they would have to move separately.

**********

“Oh… I thought I knew Jebodang well because I’ve been back and forth a few times, but not at all.”

Two days later, Eugene Schneider headed to Jebodang with Thomas and Marie as planned.

And so, they arrived around a little past noon.

Then, after briefly greeting the people of Jebodang Village,

they carefully and meticulously examined the site for the mercenary village and its surroundings for about an hour.

In the process, he saw things he hadn’t noticed before, and he had quite an interesting expression.

“There was a waterfall~!”

Whoosh! Whoosh!

A fantastic waterfall came into view.

There was a stretch of cliffs, and the waterfall was located at the end of it.

It was so large that its distinct appearance could be seen even though it was more than 1 km away.

“I said something like this during the Goblin Quest. I said that this place was used a lot for black market purposes in the past. The areas where people live have been reclaimed and settled for a long time, but the surrounding areas are still quite rugged.”

“Oh, right, I remember you saying that.”

Thomas began to enthusiastically explain what he knew.

Pangea was a very famous city even during the Warring States period of Pedon.

At that time, it was the capital of the kingdom that occupied this land, and the surrounding area was so rugged that it was known as a natural fortress.

Jebodang also has a history of being used as one of its outer fortress strongholds.

“Still, a mercenary village needs an element like this. It needs to be easy to defend. Of course, it can be a hazard for the children, but that can be solved by building barricades well and providing regular safety education.”

Step, step, step.

Eugene began to explore the cliff section in earnest.

Sheer cliffs, stretching for several kilometers.

Also, the height of the cliffs is about 30-40m, and below that, the waterfall water from the huge waterfall in the distance formed a small river, flowing swiftly.

Walking directly on it, it is more rugged than he imagined.

But it is also good for making a fortress, so it seems to depend on how you handle it.

“Oh, is it time already?”

Eugene, Thomas, and Marie continued to examine the cliff section for about 20 minutes.

Then, Thomas looked at the time-checking magic stone and reacted.

“Brother, I’ll stop by Jebodang Village and come back. The residents there said they want to treat us to lunch. I thought it would be better if I went and brought the food here.”

There was a reason to head to Jebodang Village.

The people of Jebodang Village now consider the Red Fox Mercenary Group not just neighbors but family.

So, when they heard that Eugene was visiting, they were busy preparing since morning to treat him to lunch.

However, they didn’t want to bother Eugene, who came to work, so they were thinking of bringing the food directly to the site.

Therefore, Thomas judged that it would be more appropriate in terms of appearance if he went to meet them and helped with the work.

“Okay, do that, Thomas. I’ll look around a little more and then go to the mercenary village site.”

“Yes, I understand, Eugene brother!”

“Then, charge captain oppa! I’ll just escort Thomas oppa to the front and come back!”

“Haha! Okay, Marie.”

Eugene decided to look around a little more and then return, and

Marie said that she had something to say to Thomas separately, so she would escort Thomas.

‘Hmm…’

Step, step, step.

Thomas and Marie temporarily left their positions.

After the two left, Eugene had a pensive expression and began to look around again, walking along the cliff path.

‘Since that day, it feels like Mina is avoiding me a little?’

The background of his pensive expression was more influenced by other thoughts than the work he was doing now.

That was his thoughts about Mina,

Eugene Schneider was noticing that Mina’s appearance after the slum volunteer work was different from before.

Of course, Mina is still kind to Eugene and is working hard at the work she has been assigned.

However, for some reason, a strange current? Eugene Schneider has been feeling it since that point.

‘I thought she would be very happy when I asked her to go with me today…’

What sealed the deal was today’s situation.

In fact, Eugene could have come to Jebodang yesterday.

But he deliberately chose today.

The reason was to tell Mina to come with him.

Anyway, since she is also a blacksmith, there would be a lot to look at regarding the site, and

Eugene thought she would be very happy to see the place where she would be living with the children.

However, Mina had a sorry expression on her face at Eugene’s surprise proposal and politely declined.

Of course, it may be that she showed such a reaction because she really had urgent business, but

in Eugene’s view, it didn’t feel like she was refusing for that reason.

There must be another reason.

‘Was her slightly swollen eyes back then because she was crying? Is something wrong?’

And since all of these things happened after he discovered that Mina’s eyes, who was playing with the children, were slightly swollen, Eugene is even more worried.

As a result, Eugene had such a pensive expression and continued to walk, looking at the river flowing turbulently under the cliff.

But at that moment,

Phew!

A sharp sound of wind cutting through the air flew in.

‘Where should we eat~? I feel like I’m on a picnic for the first time in a while~?’

Marie, who had finished talking while escorting Thomas, was walking back towards Eugene.

It’s early summer, so the fields are full of summer scents,

Looking at the place, Marie vaguely remembers the memories of going on picnics with her older siblings when she was young and carefree.

‘But what’s wrong with Mina unni? I don’t think she’s ever given me such a warning before.’

Marie, who was feeling the picnic atmosphere, tilted her head.

That’s because Mina had separately told her that it would be better to pay a little more attention to safety when going to Jebodang.

If she was someone who said those things often, it would be one thing, but Marie was wondering because it was a conversation she had never had in the nearly half a year she had known Mina.

In fact, she escorted Thomas separately just now to carry out Mina’s words by staying by Thomas’s side in her own way.

‘Eugene charge captain oppa has already gone further in?’

Marie, who had safely escorted Thomas and was heading back towards Eugene,

“!!!!!!!!”

Her eyes widened.

“Kugh!”

Eugene, hit by a dagger and a throwing star, was about to lose his balance and fall off the cliff.

“Oppa!!!!!”

Dada dada dada!

Recognizing the sight, Marie frantically ran towards him.

–Chwaaaaaaaack!!

However, Eugene completely lost his balance and began to fall 30 meters down the cliff, and

–Splash!!!

Eventually, he fell into the rough, turbulent river water.

“Charge captain oppa! Oppa!!”

Marie reached the edge of the cliff and screamed, looking at the river under the cliff where Eugene had fallen, her face pale.

At that time,

Paaaaaaat!!

A black object jumped out of the bushes right next to the cliff.

Shuaaaaaaaack!!

And the object immediately began to fall down the cliff.